Sky and Channel 4 have extended their F1 broadcasting partnership, meaning Channel 4 will continue to offer free-to-air coverage until and including 2026.
Channel 4 confirmed this morning that it will continue to screen highlights of all Formula 1 qualifying, sprint and Grand Prix races. Live coverage will remain exclusive to Sky Sports throughout the next three years.
But Channel 4 will continue to be the free-to-air home of live coverage of the British Grand Prix, including coverage of all practice and qualifying laps in the build-up to the British GP race day. Across both Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4, last year’s coverage of the British GP reached a combined audience of 7.4m
This latest extension brings this Formula 1 rights sharing partnership to eight years. The partnership has resulted in other major sporting events being televised on Channel 4 at short notice. Other deals have included live coverage of England’s wins in both the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022 and ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019, the 2021 Formula 1 season finale which saw Max Verstappen snatch the championship from Lewis Hamilton in the most dramatic of circumstances, and live coverage of the Super League.
Corporate comment
Channel 4’s Chief Executive Alex Mahon said:
“We’re thrilled to have struck another Formula 1 deal with Sky and are delighted to once again bring UK audiences Formula 1 for free. The partnership between Channel 4 and Sky benefits the British public and allows everyone to get into the sport, brings in new fans and ensures Formula 1 gets much wider reach and prominence with British audiences. Just like British fans I love that unique Formula 1 combination of engineering technology, personal humanity, glittering glamour and unbelievable race tension.”
Stephen van Rooyen, CEO Sky UK & Ireland said:
“Together with Channel 4 we’ve shared some of the most iconic moments in sporting history and our relationship is as strong as ever. The length and nature of this deal shows Sky’s deep commitment to help increase the reach of Formula 1 and continue to support one of the most exhilarating, and fastest growing sports in the world.”
Marc Thornham